Marion Walsingham passed into the fullness of immortal life on July 1, 2017. She was born on March 10, 1923 to William and Jane Elizabeth Tiller Chance in Wausau, Florida. She attended Wausau Elementary and Chipley High School.

Marion married her childhood sweetheart, Alvin Walsingham. Together they had fifty wonderful years and 2 wonderful sons, Gary and Bill. Marion was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a fun-loving person that greeted you with a big smile and a hug whether she had just met you or you were a cherished friend. She dearly loved making and sharing precious memories with her family and friends.

During World War II, while Alvin served overseas in the U.S. Navy, Marion and one-year-old Gary moved to St. Andrews, Florida where she worked in the payroll department at Wainwright Ship Builders. After the war in 1950, Alvin, Marion, and Gary opened "Alvin's 5 and Dime Store" on Beck Avenue. This family endeavor later became Alvin's Island Stores on Panama City Beach, Destin, Fort Walton, Pensacola Beach, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores employing over six hundred people.

Marion was very active in the business but found time to do many other things.
She loved tending to her flowers and always had something blooming. She also enjoyed fishing, playing bridge, bowling, reading, and traveling across the states and to many foreign countries with her most favorite travel companions, her grandchildren. Later in life, she greatly enjoyed supporting and attending her great-grandchildren's dance recitals and sports tournaments.

Marion was a very active member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church since 1950. She loved God and serving her church, where she was a member and teacher of the Fidelis Sunday School Class and participant in many committees.

Marion was a founding member of the Panama City Beach Women's Club where she served as Secretary. She was a member of the first Library Committee to bring a public library to Panama City Beach and served as Secretary when the inaugural beach library was built. She was also a lifetime member and president of the Gulf Beach Garden Club.

Marion was instrumental in getting the first Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star started in Panama City Beach. She served as the First Worthy Matron as well as the Grand Ruth for the Grand Chapter of Florida in 1984-1985. She was elected to go through the line, serving as Worthy Grand Matron for the Grand Chapter of Florida from 1991-1992. Marion served as the Chairman of the Cancer Fund for the General Grand Chapter from 2009-2010, raising over $1,000,000 during her term. She was an active member of the Lynn Haven Chapter No. 262 and served as the District 3 Chairman of Proficiency for the Grand Chapter for the past 25 years. Marion was appointed as Ambassador of Hawaii for the General Grand Chapter this past year. She was also a member of the Agape Temple No. 155, Daughters of the Nile.

Marion was devoted to her family. She loved them beyond all else and always worked for their happiness and well-being. Marion is survived by her son, Gary Walsingham and wife, Cumi, and daughter in-law, Sylvia Walsingham. She also leaves behind four grandchildren, Mike Walsingham and wife, Pam; Sherri Walsingham; Jeff Walsingham and wife, Michelle; Allen Walsingham and wife, Jessica. Her great joys were her nine great-grandchildren, Hannah Walsingham, Jacob Walsingham, Leah Walsingham, Justina Adams, Emily Walsingham, Abby Walsingham, Libby Walsingham, Madison Walsingham, Shelby Walsingham and her four great-great-grandchildren Lilly, Nolan, Sarah, and Olivia. She will be greatly missed by a host of nieces, nephews, and many wonderful friends. Marion was preceded in death by her husband Alvin, son Bill, mother, father, two brothers, two sisters, and two brothers-in-law.

The family will receive friends at Wilson Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 5th 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 6th at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Andrew United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Asked to serve as pallbearers are her nephews: Patrick Carter, Donell Bruner, Johnny Bruner, James Bruner, Chip Morgan, James Alvin Walsingham, Johnny Walsingham, and Charles Walsingham. Honorary pallbearers will be her Fidelis Sunday School class and all Eastern Star Members.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew United Methodist Church Building Fund, Emerald Coast Hospice, or your favorite charity.